Audio By Carbonatix
Executive Director of the Centre for Freedom and Accuracy, Andrew Awuni, says there is a deliberate agenda to sell off Ghana's Merchant Bank to some people no matter the resistance Ghanaians mount against the plan.
Speaking on Multi TV's PM Express, he says the argument that the bank is saddled with "bad and doubtful debt" hence its sale cannot be tenable.
The Central Bank recently announced Fortiz as the new owners of Merchant Bank after the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) offloaded its majority stake in the bank.
According the Bank of Ghana, Merchant Bank's is saddled with huge debt which stood at GHC186m as at May 2013.
But ardent opponent of the deal, Awuni says the debtors of Merchant Bank who are "visible and identifiable" have not shown any sign of being unable to pay back huge loans they took.
"In fact, they are actually venturing into new businesses and have also not filed for bankruptcy", he added. This Andrew Awuni says means the debt is "recoverable".
He explained that SSNIT did not offload its majority shares from Merchant Bank because it was "a poor institution". He revealed that the Pensions Trust has recently invested in an airline company, Africa World Airlines.
"They [SSNIT] are doing new things" he added.
"Somebody or some people want to get Merchant Bank and they will take it from Ghanaians whether we like it or not", Mr Awuni observed.
Falling short of mentioning names, he said those behind the deal do not fear public opposition to the deal and are determined to go ahead with the deal.
The Executive Director of the Centre for Freedom and Accuracy lamented how an asset of the state created from pensions contributions of ordinary Ghanaians could be given out "with impunity".
Latest Stories
-
GOLDBOD CEO explains ‘Clear Typo’ in Foreign Reserves claim
12 minutes -
Trump says US military struck ISIS terrorists in Nigeria
40 minutes -
Civil society group calls on the Bank of Ghana to suspend planned normalisation of non-interest banking
3 hours -
Jingle bills: Arkansas Powerball player strikes $1.8bn jackpot on Christmas Eve
3 hours -
Brazil ex-President Jair Bolsonaro’s surgery for hernia ‘successful’
3 hours -
Ghana and Afreximbank announce successful resolution of $750 million facility
6 hours -
IGP inaugurates Ghana Police Music AcademyÂ
6 hours -
Proposed 5-year presidential term will be difficult for underperforming presidents to seek more – Prof Prempeh
6 hours -
Constitution review was inclusive, structured and effective – Prof Prempeh
7 hours -
Public urged to remain vigilant to ensure fire incident-free Christmas Â
7 hours -
Why the fight against neglected tropical diseases is far from over
7 hours -
Reported losses from gold operations in 2025 remain speculative – BoG
7 hours -
Fighting AIDS and STIs in Africa: UNFPA equips youth to turn data into action
7 hours -
Amaarae returns to Accra for homecoming concert
7 hours -
5-year term will be harsher on presidents, not kinder, says Constitution Review Chair
8 hours
